Samui&#039;s extreme escape

Some holidays should be spent being active and exploring new places, while others should be reserved for extreme relaxing and doing absolutely nothing. If you’re after the latter, there’s no need to look any further than here.

Samujana is a five-star property but it’s no hotel. There’s a total of 25 luxury private villas that come in all shapes and sizes; from three-bedroom to eight-bedroom villas. All are readily equipped with stunning swimming pools, so whether you’re a party of six or 20, you’ll get to enjoy panoramic views and taking a dip in a gorgeous pool whenever you want.

Some of the bigger villas here are insane — and we mean this in the best possible way. Huge lounging areas, BBQ grills, pool tables, table tennis tables, a home theatre that features tonnes of movies, spas and fitness rooms. It’s almost like each villa doesn’t want you to leave! And understandably so, as they have been designed to feature anything and everything you and your guest could want on a holiday. This includes a villa manager that will greet you at the airport, explain all the facilities in your villa and help you organise any activities that you may want to do during your stay.

On our visit, we ventured out to sea on Kindred Spirit — a huge 13 metre sailing catamaran. Sailing across the sea, we were met with the most amazing views of crystal clear waters and nearby islands. We then took a snorkelling pit stop near Koh Phangan and also paddle-boarded for a little while. The catamaran is fully stocked with refreshing beverages, so if you’re not up for jumping in the water, you can also just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Relaxing on your holiday also means not having to think about cooking your own meals. Daily breakfast is normally included in your stay and is prepared by your villa manager who’s always making sure your coffee cup is never empty. You can order eggs anyway you want and they’re served with sausages and bacon. There are yoghurt, cornflakes and a fruit platter as well. For lunch and dinner, you may order the in-room service, meaning that a chef will come in and prepare the meals for you. Even so, there are lots to choose on the menu, from western dishes to classic Thai plates. We really recommend getting the som tam and fried chicken; boy do these guys know how to pok pok a good papaya salad.

What we loved the most about Samujana — besides its faultless service and stunning villas — is the cutting-edge technology they’ve invested in to make the the accommodation enjoyable for all that stay there. The sound system, for example, comes with iPod/iPhone docks so you can just plug in and blast out your favourite tunes, enjoying them within the complete privacy of your villa. Accessibility is also one of the perks of staying here. Being located a short drive from the airport and Bo Phut (aka Fisherman’s Village) means you’re never far away from nightlife, restaurants or pristine beaches.

It’s important to note that Samujana is not a hotel. There’s no hotel bars, no lobby areas and no shared swimming pools. If it’s a luxury stay and plenty of privacy you’re after, these villas on the Coconut Island have certainly got you covered.

Perfect for: Renting out for the weekend with family and friends; corporate trips and weddings.

Villas we loved: Villa 22 is ideal for 10-12 adults. If you’re looking for a party villa, make sure you opt for Villa 12 which comes with a slick bar and underwater speakers in the huge pool.

WiFi: Free and available throughout the property.

Note: Some villas do offer separate room rentals; do call to check with the property.

Special rates from now through Jun 30 for all Thai residents and expatriates who are currently residing in Thailand. Choose a four-bedroom or a five-bedroom villa with starting prices of B55,555 and B71,111 for weekdays; B69,999 and B86,666 for weekends. Prices include daily breakfast, roundtrip airport transfers and applicable taxes and service charge. For bookings, email reservations@samujana.com.